Facilitating power transactions

ABSTRACT

The subject invention relates to employing interactive components and execution components to facilitate power transactions. In an example, a method includes receiving a first set of data from a set of agent components, wherein the first set of data represents a purchase, a transmission, a production, a sale or a consumption of energy; and facilitating execution, by the system, of a set of contracts between a first subset of agent components and a second subset of agent components based on the first set of data. In another example, a method can further include insuring, by the system, the set of contracts against a supply surplus of energy or a production shortage of energy.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to employing interactive components andexecution components to facilitate power transactions. The interactivecomponents can facilitate a transmission of power transaction databetween agent components of a system. The transmitted data can representinformation associated with energy production, consumption, ortransportation. The execution components can facilitate an execution ofcontracts based on at least some of the transmitted data.

SUMMARY

The following presents a summary to provide a basic understanding of oneor more embodiments of the invention. This summary is not intended toidentify key or critical elements, or delineate any scope of theparticular embodiments or any scope of the claims. Its sole purpose isto present concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the moredetailed description that is presented later. In one or more embodimentsdescribed herein are systems, devices, apparatuses, computer programproducts and/or computer-implemented methods that facilitate aninteraction between a set of agent components and execution of contractsbetween a subset of agent components.

According to an embodiment, a system is provided. The system comprises aprocessor that executes computer executable components stored in memory.The computer executable components include an interaction component thatreceives first information from a set of agent components regardingpurchase, generation, sale or provisioning of energy by one or moredevices. Further, the computer executable components include anexecution component that facilitates execution of contracts between asubset of the set of agent components based on the first information.

According to another embodiment, a computer-implemented method isprovided. The computer-implemented method can comprise receiving, by asystem comprising a processor, a first set of data from a set of agentcomponents, wherein the set of data represents a purchase, atransmission, a production, a sale or a consumption of energy. Thecomputer-implemented method can also comprise facilitating execution, bythe system, of a set of contracts between a first subset of the agentcomponents based on the first set of data.

According to yet another embodiment, a computer program product isprovided. The computer program product comprises a computer readablestorage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, theprogram instructions executable by a processor to cause the processorto: receive a first set of data from a group of agent components,wherein the group of agent components comprises at least one of aconsumer agent component, a producer agent component, a grid agentcomponent or an insurance agent component; and facilitate execution of aset of contracts between at least a portion of the group of agentcomponents based on the first set of data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A depicts a cloud computing environment in accordance with one ormore embodiments described herein.

FIG. 1B depicts abstraction model layers in accordance with one or moreembodiments described herein.

FIG. 1C illustrates a block diagram of an example, non-limiting systemthat can facilitate an interaction between a set of agent components tofacilitate one or more power transactions in accordance with one or moreembodiments described herein.

FIG. 2A illustrates a block diagram of another example, non-limitingsystem that can facilitate an interaction between a set of agentcomponents to facilitate one or more power transactions in accordancewith one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 2B illustrates a block diagram of an example, non-limiting systemthat can facilitate an interaction between a first agent component of afirst consumer member system and a second agent component of a secondconsumer member system to facilitate one or more power transactions inaccordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 2C illustrates a block diagram of an example, non-limiting logicalflow of electricity between one or more energy producers and/or energyconsumers located in one or more cities in accordance with one or moreembodiments described herein.

FIG. 2D illustrates a block diagram of an example, non-limiting physicalflow of electricity between one or more energy producers and/or one ormore energy consumers located in one or more cities in accordance withone or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingcomputer-implemented method that facilitates an interaction between aset of agent components of a system to facilitate one or more powertransactions in accordance with one or more embodiments describedherein.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingcomputer-implemented method that facilitates a validation of one or morecontracts executed between a set of agent components of a system tofacilitate one or more power transactions in accordance with one or moreembodiments described herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingcomputer-implemented method that facilitates a providing of insurance toone or more contracts executed between a set of agent components of asystem to facilitate one or more power transactions in accordance withone or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingcomputer-implemented method that facilitates a collection of datacorresponding to the performance of activities associated with one ormore contract obligations of a system to facilitate one or more powertransactions in accordance with one or more embodiments describedherein.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting computerprogram product that causes a processor to receive data from a group ofagent components and execute one or more contracts based on the receiveddata to facilitate one or more power transactions in accordance with oneor more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting computerprogram product that causes a processor to provide insurance to one ormore contracts between a group of agent components to facilitate one ormore power transactions in accordance with one or more embodimentsdescribed herein.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting computerprogram product that causes a processor to monitor data representing aflow of energy from a metering device to facilitate one or more powertransactions in accordance with one or more embodiments describedherein.

FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of an example, non-limitingoperating environment in which one or more embodiments described hereincan be facilitated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely illustrative and is notintended to limit embodiments and/or application or uses of embodiments.Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed orimplied information presented in the preceding Background or Summarysections, or in the Detailed Description section.

One or more embodiments are now described with reference to thedrawings, wherein like referenced numerals are used to refer to likeelements throughout. In the following description, for purposes ofexplanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea more thorough understanding of the one or more embodiments. It isevident, however, in various cases, that the one or more embodiments canbe practiced without these specific details.

It is to be understood that although this disclosure includes a detaileddescription on cloud computing, implementation of the teachings recitedherein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather,embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented inconjunction with any other type of computing environment. Rather,embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented inconjunction with any other type of computing environment now known orlater developed.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient,on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computingresources (e.g., networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing,memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that canbe rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort orinteraction with a provider of the service. This cloud model may includeat least five characteristics, at least three service model, and atleast four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded automatically without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneousthin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, andPDA's).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to servemultiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physicaland virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according todemand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumergenerally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of theprovided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher levelof abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out andrapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilitiesavailable for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can bepurchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimizeresource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level ofabstraction appropriate to the type of service monitored, controlled,and reported, providing transparency for both the provider and consumerof the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure.The applications are accessible from various client devices through athin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based e-mail).The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloudinfrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, storage,or even individual application capabilities, with the possible exceptionof limited user-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto deploy into the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquiredapplications created using programming languages and tools supported bythe provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, orstorage, but has control over the deployed applications and possiblyapplication hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided to theconsumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and otherfundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy andrun arbitrary software, which can include operating systems andapplications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage,deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networkingcomponents (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for anorganization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party andmay exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by severalorganizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns(e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and complianceconsiderations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third partyand may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the generalpublic or a large industry group and is owned by an organization sellingcloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or moreclouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities butare bound together by standardized or proprietary technology thatenables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting forload-balancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure that includes anetwork of interconnected nodes.

The subject disclosure is directed to employing interactive componentsand execution components to facilitate power transactions. In an aspect,the interactive components can provide a cloud-based marketplace toaccommodate one or more member devices or one or more member agentcomponents operating on member devices or agent devices to exchangeinformation and execute transactions related to the purchase, sale, andtransportation of energy.

Referring now to FIG. 1A, illustrative cloud computing environment 50 isdepicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 50 includes one or morecloud computing nodes 10 with which local computing devices used bycloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA)or cellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, laptop computer 54C,and/or automobile computer system 54N may communicate. Nodes 10 maycommunicate with one another. They may be grouped (not shown) physicallyor virtually, in one or more networks, such as Private, Community,Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combinationthereof. This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offerinfrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for which a cloudconsumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computingdevice. It is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shownin FIG. 1A are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with any type ofcomputerized device over any type of network and/or network addressableconnection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring now to FIG. 1B, a set of functional abstraction layersprovided by cloud computing environment 50 is shown. Repetitivedescription of like elements employed in other embodiments describedherein is omitted for sake of brevity. It should be understood inadvance that the components, layers, and functions shown in FIG. 1B areintended to be illustrative only and embodiments of the invention arenot limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers and correspondingfunctions are provided. Repetitive description of like elements employedin other embodiments described herein is omitted for sake of brevity.

Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include: mainframes 61; RISC(Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture based servers 62;servers 63; blade servers 64; storage devices 65; and networks andnetworking components 66. In some embodiments, software componentsinclude network application server software 67 and database software 68.

Virtualization layer 70 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers71; virtual storage 72; virtual networks 73, including virtual privatenetworks; virtual applications and operating systems 74; and virtualclients 75.

In one example, management layer 80 may provide the functions describedbelow. Resource provisioning 81 provides dynamic procurement ofcomputing resources and other resources that are utilized to performtasks within the cloud computing environment. Metering and Pricing 82provide cost tracking as resources are utilized within the cloudcomputing environment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may include applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.User portal 83 provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management 84provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such thatrequired service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planningand fulfillment 85 provide pre-arrangement for, and procurement of,cloud computing resources for which a future requirement is anticipatedin accordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer 90 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation 91; software development and lifecycle management 92; virtualclassroom education delivery 93; data analytics processing 94;transaction processing 95; and alert event tracking and predicting 96.Various embodiments of the present invention can utilize the cloudcomputing environment described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B tofacilitate tracking and/or predicting one or more alert events.

FIG. 1C illustrates a block diagram of an example, non-limiting system100 that can facilitate an interaction between a set of agent componentsto facilitate one or more power transactions in accordance with one ormore embodiments described herein. For example, a device 102 can employconsumer agent component 152 to interact with device 104 that can employa producer agent component 154, device 106 that can employ a grid agentcomponent 156, and/or device 109 that can employ insurance agentcomponent 158 to facilitate a power transaction comprising the purchase,generation, sale, and/or provisioning of energy. Accordingly, FIG. 1Cillustrates a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment ofsystem 100 that can facilitate an interaction between a set of agentcomponents to communicate information regarding a purchase, generation,sale and/or provisioning of energy in accordance with one or moreembodiments described herein.

Aspects of systems (e.g., system 100 and the like), apparatuses, orprocesses explained in this disclosure can constitute machine-executablecomponent(s) embodied within machine(s), e.g., embodied in one or morecomputer readable mediums (or media) associated with one or moremachines. Such component(s), when executed by the one or more machines,e.g., computer(s), computing device(s), virtual machine(s), etc. cancause the machine(s) to perform the operations described herein.

As shown in FIG. 1C, illustrated is a system 100 that can comprise powertransaction system 190 comprising an interaction component 110 and anexecution component 120. The power transaction system 190 can alsoinclude or otherwise be associated with one or more processors (e.g.,such as processor 112) that can execute the computer executablecomponents and/or computer instructions stored in memory 108. In anaspect, system 100 can also comprise consumer agent component 152operating on device 102, producer agent component 154 operating ondevice 104, grid agent component 156 operating on device 106, andinsurance agent component 158 operating on device 109. In an aspect, oneor more of the components of system 100 can be electrically and/orcommunicatively coupled to one or more devices of system 100 or otherembodiments disclosed herein.

In an aspect, the interaction component 110 can receive firstinformation from a set of agent components (e.g., consumer agentcomponent 152, producer agent component 154, grid agent component 156,insurance agent component 158) regarding purchase, generation, saleand/or provisioning of energy. In an aspect, one or more agentcomponents can represent an entity or individual referred to as a memberthat performs a transactional activity associated with energy (e.g.,energy producer, consumer, insurer, transporter).

In some embodiments, the goal of one or more agent components, operatingon a device on behalf of a member, can be to facilitate an execution ofcontracts, on behalf of a member, obligating or entitling the member toperform a desired energy activity. In an aspect, a member can be aconsumer member, a producer member, a grid member, or an insurancemember. The members can be represented by a consumer agent component152, a producer agent component 154, a grid agent component 156, or aninsurance agent component 158. The producer member (represented byproducer agent component 154) can be any individual or entity thatgenerates electricity. In some embodiments, the goal of the producermember can be to generate maximum income (or a defined amount of incomeor to increase income relative to a previous income). The consumermember can be any individual or entity that consumes energy. In someembodiments, the goal of the consumer member can be to purchase energy.

An agent component can interact (e.g., using interaction component 110)with other agent components in a virtual trading room (e.g. comprisingsoftware components including interaction component 110 and/or executioncomponent 120) stored on one or more servers to negotiate and/or executecontracts. In an aspect, the agent components (e.g., set of agentcomponents), interacting with other agent components can facilitate thebuilding of contracts with one another. For instance, a contract caninclude terms informed by information exchanged between one or moreagent components. A contract term can be generated based on theparticipation or interaction (e.g., using interaction component 110)between a consumer agent component 152, producer agent component 154,grid agent component 156, and/or an insurance agent component 158. Theconsumer agent component 152 can negotiate an amount of electricalenergy during a specified time period for purchase by a consumer memberof system 100. In an aspect, the producer agent component 154 cannegotiate (e.g., by proposing a contract term, proposing an alterationto a contract term, exchanging information or exchanging data supportinga particular proposal, etc.) an amount of electrical energy during aspecified time period to sell by a producer member of system 100.

In another aspect, the grid agent component 156 can negotiate termsregarding transportation of electricity through an electric grid and/orbased on an estimated capacity of the grid at a given time and/or dateby a grid member of system 100. In yet another aspect, an insuranceagent component 158 can input (e.g., using interaction component 110)data, representing a proposal to sell a capacity for consuming orproducing electricity by an insurer member of system 100. For instance,an insurance agent component 158 can input data, representing a proposalto obligate a member to act as a guarantor to compensate for missingconsumption and/or missing production of a consumer member or producermember respectively in accordance with an executed contract.Furthermore, a member can be represented by one or more agent componentsuch that a producer member can be represented by an insurance agentcomponent 158 and a producer agent component 154. Also, an agent, (e.g.,via an agent component) can represent a member in different capacitiessuch that one agent can act as an insurance agent (e.g., using insuranceagent component 158) and/or a producer agent (e.g., using producer agentcomponent 154) to a member (e.g., producer member).

The system 100 can also employ an execution component 120 thatfacilitates execution of contracts between a subset of the agentcomponents based on the first information. In an aspect, the contracts,based on data input by a subset of agent components, can includecontracts to purchase electricity (e.g., contract for a consumer topurchase electricity from a producer of electricity), a contract to sellelectricity (e.g., contract for a producer of electricity to sell to aconsumer of electricity), a contract to transport electricity (e.g., acontract for an electric grid to transport electricity a givendistance), or an insurance contract to guarantee the terms of anothercontract are satisfied. In an aspect, the insurance contract canobligate an insurer to consume (e.g., storing the electricity or usingthe electricity) excess electricity or produce additional electricity(e.g., generating more electricity in the event of a shortfall). In somecontracts, an insurer of consumption obligations and/or an insurer ofproduction obligations do not have to be the same party. For example,insurer A can provide insurance to consume (e.g., store) excesselectricity associated with a contract and/or insurer B can provideinsurance to produce extra electricity associated with the same contractin the event that an electricity shortfall occurs.

In an aspect, the contracts executed (e.g., using execution component120) can be associated with a range of member types. For instance, along-term contract to produce or generate electricity can be offered bylarger providers to consumers via distribution utilities based on apredictable future demand for electricity. In another instance,competitive suppliers of electricity can market directly to consumers(as opposed to through a distribution utility) based on a predictedfuture demand for electricity. Other members can include public powerentities and/or co-operatives whom, in some capacity, have an obligationto serve consumers.

In an aspect, contracts can be executed based on data representingvarious infrastructure and/or logistical factors such as location ofproducer member facilities and/or consumer member facilities, and/orcost of electricity transportation, capacity (e.g., load) to transportan amount of electricity at a given date and/or time. Furthermore,contracts can be executed between agent components operating on one ormore devices representing independent producers and/or consumers ofelectricity. For instance, individuals can profit from sellingelectricity, generated using its own home, directly to an electric grid.On the other hand, a consumer agent component 152 can input datarepresenting instructions (e.g., executed by processor 112) tofacilitate a purchase of electricity at a cheaper price reflective ofefficient market economic characteristics enabled by system 100C and/orcan circumvent allow agent components to facilitate execution ofcontracts absent any need for intermediaries (e.g., devices representingelectricity distribution, production, consumption middle-men). Inanother aspect, system 100 can be employed on member hardware (e.g.,desktop computers, tablets, smart phones, servers, etc.) and/or agentowned hardware and/or those agent components hosted on the members'hardware can be granted access to member data to effect trades. Forinstance, consumer agent component 152 can be hosted on device 102,producer agent component 154 can be hosted on device 104, grid agentcomponent 156 can be hosted on device 106, and/or insurance agentcomponent 158 can be hosted on device 109. As such, device 102, device104, device 106, and/or device 109 can be owned by independent membersand/or such devices can facilitate agent components to access memberdata stored on or accessible by such devices.

The agent components can also facilitate the execution (e.g., usingexecution component 120) of contracts based on one or more calculations,determination configurations, and/or trading algorithms. For instance,in an aspect, consumer agent component 152 can utilize data representingestimates of future demand for electrical energy to negotiate afavorable purchase price for electricity at a later date. In anotheraspect, consumer agent component 152 can utilize historical statisticaldata and/or member provided consumption data to facilitate adetermination of consumer behavior, producer behavior, and/or reasonableprices associated with the consumption of electricity. The consumeragent component 152 can employ artificial intelligence (e.g., machinelearning techniques, deep learning techniques, etc.) to infer futureenergy needs. The artificial intelligence can utilize historical data,statistics, and/or trends to approximate within a high level ofconfidence the macro-economic demand for energy at a future date and/ortime as well as the estimated demand of the consumer member representedby the consumer agent component 152 at a future date and/or time.Accordingly, consumer agent component 152 can negotiate the purchase(e.g., using interaction component 110) of defined amounts of electricalenergy for a future date at favorable prices being equipped withpredictive information.

In yet another aspect, producer agent component 154 can utilize datarepresenting estimates of future production of energy based onrespective types of energy generation sources. For instance, a produceragent component 154 can utilize data estimating the future production ofelectricity generated from wind based energy sources (e.g., wind mills)factoring in weather forecast data and/or other production influencingdata sets. The producer agent component 154 can employ artificialintelligence (e.g., machine learning techniques, deep learningtechniques, etc.) to infer future energy production amounts. Theartificial intelligence can utilize historical data, statistics, and/ortrends to approximate within a high level of confidence energyproduction amounts to be supplied at a future date and/or time from amacro-economic perspective and/or from an individual producer memberperspective. Accordingly, producer agent component 154 can negotiate thefavorable sale (e.g., using interaction component 110) of definedamounts of electrical energy (at a date in the future) in a trading roomby contacting and/or interacting with other agent components. Theproducer agent component 154 equipped with predictive information cannegotiate the provisioning of energy at dates and/or times that garnerthe highest price for its represented producer member. The produceragent component 154 can also utilize weather forecast data in connectionwith historical statistical data of past weather patterns to determinewhether an insurance contract should be purchased and/or at what levelof coverage to protect the producer member against failure to meet theproduction conditions obligated by an executed contract.

In an aspect, an executed contract (e.g., using execution component 120)between a consumer agent component 152 and a producer agent component154 that obligates a consumer member and/or provider member toobligations expressed in one or more contract terms may accommodateflexible transactional activities. For instance, a consumer agentcomponent 152 (on behalf of a consumer member) may execute a contractwith a term that obligates the producer member to provide a minimumamount of electricity to a consumer member on a given date and/or duringa given time slot, however the term may obligate or entitle the consumermember to consume more electrical energy should the producer memberprovide such electrical energy (e.g., up to a maximum amount ofelectricity for consumption). As such, contracts can include flexibleterms that accommodate variability in operational outcomes associatedwith one or more energy generation resources (e.g., renewable energyproduction) and/or the variable factors it relies on.

Furthermore, in an instance where a consumer agent component 152 inputsdata that facilitates a proposal of contractual flexibility related toconsumption of energy by a consumer member from a provider member, theconsumer agent component 152 can input (e.g., using interactioncomponent 110) data to system 100 to facilitate the negotiation of lowerprices (e.g., with a producer agent component 154) to purchase suchelectricity. For instance, the greater performance flexibility aprovider is granted from a consumer, the less is the need to purchaseinsurance for a contract. For instance, if a provider has a wide rangeof energy units within which it must provide to a consumer during agiven date or between a long time period, then the purchase of insuranceby the provider may not be needed because the risk of defaulting on suchflexible obligations are lower. Accordingly, contracts requiring less orno insurance can have a lower expense to the provider member and suchsavings can be passed on to the consumer member in the form of a lowerpurchase price for electricity. The capability of a consumer agentcomponent 152 to input data representing an offer to sell consumptionflexibility to obtain lower purchase prices contributes to the marketprice stabilization of electricity through the electric grid.

In yet another instance, a consumer member (e.g., via a consumer agentcomponent 152) can also input data representing an offer to seize toconsume electricity on demand (despite the ability to consume suchenergy at a given time), pursuant to an executed contract (e.g., usingexecution component 120) to further contribute to grid stabilization andcounter-balance variable fluctuations in electricity production fromrenewable energy sources. As an example, facilities that include coolingoperations (e.g., meat storage lockers) can maintain cooling operationseven after seizing to consume electricity for periods of time. Consumeragent component 152 representing these type of consumer members caninput data (e.g., using interaction component 110) to present a contractproposal that obligate or entitle them to turn off its electricityconsumption at periods of time to contribute to stabilization of theelectrical grid.

In another aspect, grid agent component 156 representing an electricalgrid energy transporter can input data (e.g., using interactioncomponent 110) that propose negotiable terms and/or execute a contract(e.g., using execution component 120) to guarantee the transport ofelectricity in accordance with an executed contract. In an aspect, agrid agent component 156 can input data (e.g., using interactioncomponent 110) to facilitate an execution of a contract to guarantee thetransport of electricity to a target destination for a quoted price. Thegrid agent component 156 can also determine a transportation priceand/or input data (e.g., using interaction component 110) by identifyingsupply and demand conditions for transportation services based on one ormore data sets including data representing a level of demand fortransportation services, a supply level of transportation serviceproviders, free storage or transport capacity of the electrical grid,data representing the distance the electricity must travel, and/or datarepresenting the amount of electricity the grid agent component 156guarantees in a contract. In an instance, a grid agent component 156 maynot require that another party to a contract obtain insurance dependingon various underwriting factors such as whether transport capacity ofone or more electrical grid based transportation route is known and theimpact of unknown factors such as weather.

By establishing a price of transport capacity, grid agent component 156can facilitate an optimization of the energy flow within the electricgrid. For instance, based on the cost of transport between severallocations, the grid agent component 156 can determine which routes ofdelivery and/or destinations for delivery are optimal for itsrepresented grid member to undertake. Consequently, a consumer agentcomponent 152 can shop for the most competitive offer price amount ofelectricity to satisfy a need, etc.) from a set of producer agentcomponents while also taking into account known transportation costs aset of grid agent components. The purchase of electricity is made moreefficient in this scenario where all stakeholders can freely communicateand interact (e.g., using interaction components).

In another aspect, system 100C can facilitate an interaction (e.g.,using interaction component 110) and/or integration with systemcomponents associated with advanced electric grid models and/orinfrastructure that are more flexible than traditional electric gridmodels. The system 100 can integrate with such system components tofacilitate the execution (e.g., using execution component 120) of powertransactions that allow for the transmission of electricity generatedfrom conventional energy sources (e.g., power plants, large utilities,etc.) and/or alternative energy sources (e.g., weather dependent sourcessuch as photovoltaic sources, wind sources, etc.) to ensure thereliability and/or stability of the electric grid by using virtual powerplant and/or smart grid technologies.

In another aspect, system 100C allows for a wide range of user devicesto participate in executing power transactions including individualhomeowners and/or large institutional power organizations whom seek tosell or purchase electricity. As such, system 100C can facilitate thecreation of a marketplace for the communication between numerousdevices, where such marketplace can allow for the reduction in largevariations in electrical energy production and/or wide fluctuations inthe price of electrical energy that occur with power transactionsexecuted on traditional electricity markets because system 100C canallow for the participation of many devices rather than only a fewdevices in performing power transactions.

Consequently, the majority of electricity consumers (e.g., via consumerdevices) whom traditionally were unable to participate in the purchasingand/or selling of electricity on restricted energy markets can accessthe energy markets using devices that employ one or more agentcomponents. Thus, such participating devices can face lower purchaseand/or sale prices of electricity due to the lack of needing to engageintermediaries or incur intermediate expenses by accessing (using one ormore devices) system 100C.

In another aspect, the agent components employed by one or more devicescan facilitate an open marketplace for device interactions (e.g., usinginteraction component 110). The marketplace represented by system 100Ccan comprise a set of software components that can integrate with and/orutilize features of virtual power plants and/or smart grid technologiessuch as smart meter devices. Furthermore, the system can allow for theinteraction, negotiation, and/or execution of agreements between variousagent components (e.g., represented as objects in the marketplace)employed by marketplace member devices. The member devices, representedby the agent components, can be operated by a device (e.g., controlledby one or more person, an artificial person, or an entity) capable ofperforming any one or more energy transactional activity such aspurchasing energy for consumption, selling energy by a producer device,transporting energy from a producer device to a consumer device, orassuring (e.g., by providing insurance) that obligations (e.g.,obligations of consuming, supplying, or transporting electricity)undertaken by an energy producer device or energy consumer device arefulfilled.

In an aspect, one or more agent components employed by an energyproducer device (e.g., device 104), energy consumer device (e.g., device102), energy transportation device (e.g., device 106), or energytransaction insurer (e.g., device 109) can execute transactions onbehalf of the member device it represents. The agent component (e.g., anobject) can operate on a members' hardware (e.g. device such as acomputer, smart phone, set top box, laptop, tablet, server, etc.) toexecute (e.g., using execution component 120) transactions over theenergy marketplace.

In some aspects, the marketplace can be a cloud based software system(e.g., located on one or more central servers) comprising differentcomponents that can be accessed by hardware (e.g. a members' hardware).The marketplace can provide a virtual location such as a trading room atwhich one or more agent components can interact (e.g., using interactioncomponent 110), communicate, exchange data associated with a contractnegotiation, and/or execute (e.g., using execution component 120)contracts between one another. The contracts can be executed (e.g., viaagent components) in a direct manner (e.g., absent seller or purchaserintermediary devices such as electric utility devices).

In another aspect, the agent components of the one or more memberdevices (e.g., consumers, producers, transporters, insurers, etc.) of acontract can serve different roles in the marketplace (e.g., system100C). For instance, an agent component can represent a consumer device,producer device, carrier device, and/or insurance provider device in asingle transaction or multiple transactions. In the case of an insuranceagent component 158, such component can, on behalf of an insurer device,input data representing an agreement to consume or store an excessamount of energy (e.g., not consumed) or agree to supply excess energy(e.g., upon the occurrence of a supply shortage) should there be a needfor such activities or should a contract between one or more agentcomponents fail to be fulfilled. Thus an agent component that is capableof representing a member device in different roles can input data thatmanages the generation, transportation, and/or consummation ofelectrical energy on behalf of one or more member devices.

Accordingly, an energy producer device (e.g., device that facilitatesproduction of regenerative electricity or conventional electricity) thatis able to store energy (e.g., using rechargeable battery packs, pumps,hydroelectric power stations, etc.) can utilize the components of system100 to facilitate a receipt of an optimal amount of income in acompetitive market. In a competitive market (e.g., system 100C) aproducer device (e.g., via producer agent component 154) can input datarepresenting a proposal to sell energy to one or more consumer devicesor sell insurance policies (e.g., to provide an extra supply ofelectricity in the event of a shortfall) guaranteeing that other memberdevices contract obligations to supply energy would be fulfilled. Assuch, a producer device (e.g., device 104) that inputs (using produceragent component 154) data representing a proposal to sell energy on acompetitive and/or open marketplace can ensure (or increase thelikelihood) that the producer device is making the most money for eachunit of energy produced by the producer device. Furthermore, an energyconsumer device (e.g., device 102) that inputs (e.g., using consumeragent component 152) data representing a request to purchase energy onthe marketplace can rely on an open marketplace to provide (or increasethe likelihood of providing) minimum costs to consume energy.

In an aspect, the device 102 can employ consumer agent component 152 toinput data representing a request to purchase energy at a low cost overthe marketplace (e.g., system 100C) because there may be less or nointermediary expenses (e.g., from utility devices). Thus, there arefewer or no intermediaries that traditionally contribute to priceupcharges. Instead, the device 102 can interface with the device 104(e.g., device owned by a wholesale energy producer) that can submitinput data representing and/or propose minimum (or lower) prices topurchase energy. Furthermore, the consumer device can submit input datarepresenting direct requests for service proposals from grid agentcomponents (e.g., grid agent component 156). In an aspect, these directinteractions, absent intermediaries, can result in the device 102receiving data representing a favorable energy transportation cost. Thisability to execute direct contracts with wholesale device providers canallow one or more consumer devices to obtain data representingcommitments for favorable fees and/or terms for the consumption ofenergy. Furthermore, boundary conditions can factor into a favorablecost of consumption, such that the consumer purchase price can be basedon such boundary conditions (e.g., production reliability factors,demand growth forecasts, discount rates, local grid characteristics,etc.).

In another aspect, system 100C can allow an agent component employed bya consumer device to determine the optimal location and/or amount ofelectricity production required to meet a current demand of electricity.Thus, agent component (connected to other agent components of system100C) can determine an optimal solution for its client device by takinginto account the current needs of a client device in relation to marketinformation that indicate favorable pricing for energy based on suchclient needs. For instance, a producer device in location A may offer acheaper price of electricity to a consumer device at location B, howeverthe transportation costs associated with consumption of such electricitymay be more expensive than a transportation cost associated withelectricity from another producer device at location B with a higheroffering price. Thus, the aggregate price that includes the productionfees and/or transportation fees can affect the buying habits associatedwith a consumer device.

Accordingly, the consumer device can rely on the competitiveness of theenergy market to ensure (or increase the likelihood) of receipt of thecheapest (or low) price offers to purchase energy. In another aspect,the system 100C can also optimize (or improve) the process oftransporting electricity such that transportation costs as well asproduction costs are minimized (or reduced) in comparison toconventional electricity transmission models. One or more aspects canallow for a single agent component to act in different roles on behalfof different devices (e.g., consumer device, producer device, carrierdevice, insurance provider device) to handle different transactionalenergy activities, such as the generation, transportation, and/orconsummation of electrical energy. In an instance, an agent componentcan be employed by a device to generate and/or input data thatrepresents offers to purchase of electricity at the cheapest rate.

The same agent component can also represent the device in the capacityof an insurance agent component 158 such that the device can input datain system 100C representing an offer to provide insurance guaranteeingthe consumption of energy (e.g., on days when excess consumptioncapacity exists) in accordance with a given set of contracts should asurplus of electricity exist. Not only can system 100C employ agentcomponents that can generate, access, and/or input data into interactioncomponent 110 in various agency role capacities, but system 100C canalso facilitate the deployment of an electricity exchange mechanism thatminimizes or eliminates the need for excess storage capacity on theelectric grid. The consumer devices, producer devices, and/or insurerdevices executing power transactions via system 100C can ensure that onany given day all electricity produced will also be simultaneouslyconsumed.

FIG. 2A illustrates a block diagram of another example, non-limitingsystem that can facilitate an interaction between a set of agentcomponents to facilitate one or more power transactions in accordancewith one or more embodiments described herein. For example, a device 102can employ consumer agent component 152 to interact with device 104employing a producer agent component 154, device 106 employing a gridagent component 156, and/or device 109 that can employ insurance agentcomponent 158 to facilitate a power transaction comprising the purchase,generation, sale, and/or provisioning of energy. Furthermore, a billingcomponent 230 can transfer money between one or more accounts associatedwith device 102, device 104, device 106, and/or device 109 based on theinteractions between the one or more devices.

Accordingly, FIG. 2A illustrates a system 200A that can comprise a powertransaction system 290 comprising interaction component 110, executioncomponent 120, validation component 210, monitoring component 220,billing component 230, archiving component 240, pricing component 250,resale component 260, and/or executive agent component 299. The powertransaction system 290 can also include or otherwise be associated withone or more processors, such as processor 112 that can execute thecomputer executable components and/or computer instructions stored inmemory 108. In another aspect, system 200A can comprise consumer agentcomponent 152, producer agent component 154, grid agent component 156,insurance agent component 158, device 102, device 104, device, 106,device 109, consumer smart meter component 262, producer smart metercomponent 264, grid smart meter component 266, insurer smart metercomponent 268, smart meter device 261, smart meter device 263, smartmeter device 265, smart meter device 267, consumer account component272, producer account component 274, grid account component 276, and/orinsurance account component 278, database 202, database 204, database206, and/or database 209. In an aspect, one or more of the components ofsystem 200A can be electrically and/or communicatively coupled to one ormore devices of system 200A or other embodiments disclosed herein.

In an aspect, system 200A can include interaction component 110 andexecution component 120. In another aspect, interaction component 110can rank one or more candidate contracts eligible for execution based ona user preference, a ranking preference by the subset of agentcomponent, or a policy. Accordingly, candidate contracts can bepresented to one or more agent components and the agent components canrank (e.g., using interaction component 110) its preference forrespective candidate contracts. In another aspect, system 200A canemploy executive agent component 299 that selects the contracts for theexecution from one or more ranked candidate contracts based on a rankingby the interaction component 110. In an aspect, the ranking (e.g., usinginteraction component 110) of one or more candidate contracts eligiblefor the execution (e.g., using execution component 120) can be based ona user preference, a ranking preference by the subset of the set ofagent components (e.g., allows for selection of contracts based on adevice operator judgment), or a policy (e.g., an automated rankingmechanism according to policy criteria). For instance, a member devicecan execute a contract by intervening in place of or in the absence ofanother agent component and ranking (e.g., using interaction component110) candidate contracts for execution based on preferential criteria.Furthermore, in an aspect, the execution component 120 can facilitatethe execution of one or more ranked contracts between a subset of theagent components.

As such, in an aspect, the member device can rank one or more candidatecontracts for execution based on a policy or a user choice (e.g.,subjective judgment of the user operating the member device). In anaspect, a policy ranking of the one or more candidate contracts caninclude policy instructions related to the energy transaction activity(e.g., consumption amount limits, sales price maximum/minimum,transportation logistical requirements, production maximum capacities,etc.). In another aspect, a user choice ranking can include a preferenceof the user for ranking one or candidate contract for execution. In anaspect, a preference can be subjective and based on complete discretionof the member device operator. Thus, a member device can employexecutive agent component 299 of power transaction system 290 to rankand select candidate contracts for execution based on member devicepreferences.

In another aspect, system 200A can include validation component 210 thatcan validate at least one of the contracts. The contracts executed(e.g., by execution component 120) can include obligations, liabilities,rights, prohibitions, promises, exclusions, and/or other suchcontractual terms. In another aspect, system 200A can employ validationcomponent 210 to validate whether the activities, terms, and/orconditions of the contract support the maintenance and/or stability ofenergy infrastructure such as the electrical grid. For instance, one ormore executed contracts can obligate one or more consumer members toconsume electricity on a given date and/or time and a producer member toprovide electricity (e.g., using a producer member device or productionfacility) on the same given date and/or time. If another contract isexecuted (e.g., using execution component 120) that obligates adifferent consumer member and/or a different production member toconsume and/or produce electricity, then the contract can be validatedto see if the electricity infrastructure, at that given date and/ortime, can sustain the obligations and/or activities to be performedsubject to the performance of all outstanding contract obligationsincluding those in the newly executed contract.

The validation component 210 can validate a contract based on data setssuch as data representing whether an electrical grid can be destabilizedfrom performance of power transactional activities (e.g., provisioning,consuming, or transporting energy) pursuant to executed contracts. Forinstance, validation component 210 can access data associated with allpower transactions that occur on the date the transactional activity isto be performed pursuant to the executed contract terms. As such, thevalidation component 210 can access data representing the total amountof energy to be produced (e.g., by a producer device or insurancedevice) on such date and/or the total amount of energy to be consumed(e.g., by a consumer device or insurance device) on such date. Thevalidation component 210 can utilize such accessed data to determinewhether the additional transaction activity associated with the executedcontract will overload an electric grid transmission and/or storagecapabilities or satisfy maximum (or defined) load requirements. As such,the validation component 210 can validate the executed contract orinvalidate the executed contract based on an evaluation of datarepresenting electric grid transmission requirements and/or powertransaction activities.

In another aspect, validation component 210 can access other sets ofdata to validate or invalidate an executed contract. In an aspect, thedata sets can include data representing changes in power (both generatedand consumed) undertaken by entities affiliated with the electricitygrid, data representing the impact of contract performance on theelectric grid load and/or associated capability of independent entitiesto undertake varying load levels (e.g., load storage capabilities ofconsumption insurance members), data representing load sharingcapabilities between electricity generators, data representing totalpower regulation factors (e.g., the magnitude of load increases to theelectric grid), and/or data representing infrastructural adjustmentsthat occur in connection with buying and selling power (e.g., increasingor decreasing electricity generator production).

The stability of the electricity grid can be represented by a steadybalance between production and/or consumption of electricity through theelectricity grid. As such, validation component 210 can access supplyrequirement data and/or demand requirement data to validate thecontracts and/or ensure that there is sufficient consumption demand andproduction supply on at a given date and/or time. The validating canalso consider data representing potential deviations in estimations ofelectricity consumption and/or production capabilities. For instance, ifthe weather on a given day delivers an unanticipated cold spell,electricity consumption can dramatically increase. Thus, the validation(e.g., using validation component 210) of a contract can includeaccessing data to validate the sustainability to the electric grid ofobligated electricity consumption amount associated with the contract ascompared to the total consumption amount committed on that date whiletaking into account a consumption cushion for unanticipated additionalconsumption.

In a non-limiting embodiment, system 200A can also employ monitoringcomponent 220 that collects data regarding flow of electricity from oneor more metering components, wherein the data comprises time stamps,member identification and/or energy consumption. In an aspect,monitoring component 220 can collect data about a flow of electricitysuch as the flow of electricity between a producer smart meter component264 and an electricity grid as well as the flow of electricity betweenan electricity grid and a consumer smart meter component 262. Themonitoring component 220 can monitor electricity flow data pursuant toan executed contract.

Furthermore, monitoring component 220 can receive or send data from/to aconsumer smart meter component 262, a producer smart meter component264, a grid smart meter component 266, or an insurer smart metercomponent 268. The smart meter components can be included within smartmeter devices owned by various members. For instance, a consumer smartmeter component 262 can be employed within a smart meter device 261owned by a consumer member that allows for the tracking of datarepresenting electricity inflows to or across a smart meter device 261.In another instance, a producer smart meter component 264 can beemployed by smart meter device 263 of a producer member that allows forthe tracking of data representing electricity outflows from or across aproducer smart meter device 263. In yet another instance, a grid smartmeter component 266 can be employed by smart meter device 265 of a gridmember that allows for the tracking of data representing electricitytransportation flows across an electrical grid between a smart meterdevice 263 and/or a smart meter device 261. In yet another instance, aninsurer smart meter component 268 can be employed by smart meter device267 of an insurance member that allows for the tracking of datarepresenting electricity transportation inflows to or outflows from oracross a smart meter device 267.

In a non-limiting example, a contract between a consumer member (e.g.,using consumer agent component 152 executing on device 102) and aproducer member (e.g., using producer agent component 154 executing ondevice 104) can require that the producer member produce a definednumber of units of electricity and/or that the consumer member willpurchase a defined number of units of electricity for a fixed price on agiven day. Furthermore, the contract can also require a consumptioninsurer (e.g., using insurance agent component 158 executing on device109) and/or a production insurer (e.g., using insurance agent component158 executing on device 109) to guarantee that a level of electricitywill be consumed or that a level of electricity will be produced shouldone of the parties be unable to perform its obligations under thecontract. In an aspect, monitoring component 220 can monitor datarepresenting the flow of electricity between the various parties to thecontract, where such data can be accessed and/or used for validating(e.g., by validation component 210) as to whether contract obligationshave been satisfied.

In another aspect, system 200A can also employ monitoring component 220in connection with one or more smart meter components (e.g., consumersmart meter component 262, producer smart meter component 264, gridsmart meter component 266, insurer smart meter component 268) to monitorand/or collect data from one or more smart meter devices such as a smartmeter owned by the one or more parties to a contract. For example,monitoring component 220 in connection with producer smart metercomponent 264 can collect data from smart meter device 263 to track theflow of electricity out of the producer's facility (e.g., energygeneration facility) to the electricity grid. Furthermore, themonitoring component 220 in connection with the grid smart metercomponent 266 can collect data from the electricity grid associated witha received flow of electricity transmitted from smart meter device 263to smart meter device 265.

In an aspect, monitoring component 220 can collect data from smart meterdevices that include time stamp data, member identification data, energyconsumption data including an amount of electricity flowing to or fromone or more smart meter devices. As such, monitoring component 220 cancollect and/or monitor data associated with transactional activitiesperformed pursuant to contract obligations. The collected data can bepreprocessed and/or stored (e.g., within memory 108) for use by system200A components such as components associated with billing and/orverification (e.g., using validation component 210) that can utilizedata representing whether a contract has been fulfilled. In anon-limiting example embodiment, a contract can be closed and/orexecuted by execution component 120. The contract can then be validatedby validation component 210. Furthermore, monitoring component 220 cancommence monitoring smart meter devices and/or collecting data (e.g.,data representing inflows and/or outflows of electricity) from suchsmart meter devices used or owned by the parties to the contract.

In another non-limiting embodiment, system 200A can also employ billingcomponent 230 that utilizes second information from the validationcomponent 210 and/or the monitoring component 220 to determine whetherfulfillment of an executed contract occurred and/or also transfer moneybetween parties to the contract based on such determination. In anaspect, billing component 230 can utilize the data collected bymonitoring component 220 (e.g., data collected from consumer smart metercomponent 262, producer smart meter component 264, grid smart metercomponent 266, insurer smart meter component 268, etc.) to determinewhether the requirements, terms, and/or conditions of the executedcontract (e.g., party obligations, entitlements, liabilities,electricity flow requirements between defined parties, dates and/ortimes of electricity provisioning and/or consumption, etc.) have beenfulfilled.

For instance, billing component 230 can access and/or analyze data thatindicates whether an electricity flow has occurred from producer memberX to consumer member Y and/or transmitted across an electricity gridcontrolled or owned by electricity grid member Z. In an aspect, billingcomponent 230 can utilize data sent from producer smart meter component264 including member identification information, electricity flowinformation, and/or time stamp information collected from smart meterdevice 263 owned by producer X to determine whether producer member Xprovided a correct amount of electricity and/or whether consumer memberY received a correct amount of electricity (e.g., evidenced by datacollected by consumer smart meter component 262 from smart meter device261) at the correct time in accordance with the executed contract ascompared to the collected data. The billing component 230 can alsoanalyze data to account for insurance members' contribution to theproduction flow or consumption flow of electricity as well. In anaspect, billing component 230 can facilitate a transfer of money betweenrelevant party bank accounts. For instance, a producer member can own aproducer account component 274 stored at a database 204, a consumptionmember can own a consumer account component 272 stored at database 202,a grid member can own a grid account component 276 stored at database206, and/or an insurance provider (e.g., production insurance member,consumption insurance member, etc.) can own an insurance accountcomponent 278 stored at database 209.

Accordingly, upon fulfillment of a contract, billing component 230 cansend data representing instructions to authorize and/or execute atransfer of payment from a consumer account component 272 located atdatabase 202 to a producer account component 274 located at database204. Furthermore, billing component 230 can also facilitate a transferpayment from a consumer account component 272 to an insurance accountcomponent 278 and/or a grid account component 276. Likewise, billingcomponent 230 can also facilitate a transfer of payment from a produceraccount component 274 to an insurance account component 278 and/or agrid account component 276. In a non-limiting embodiment, the set ofmember account components can be located at the same database or severalindependent databases. In yet another aspect, billing component 230 canreceive data collected by monitoring component 220 and/or validationdata from validation component 210. The billing component 230 can assignreceived data to corresponding contract data to substantiate conductedpayment activities (e.g., transfer of money between member accounts).

In another non-limiting embodiment, system 200A can also employarchiving component 240 that archives details associated with powertransaction events corresponding to the contracts, one or more moneytransfer activities between one or more devices, and/or collected dataregarding flow of electricity from a metering component. Furthermore,the data collected by monitoring component 220, smart meter components,and/or billing component 230 (e.g., data related to money transfers) canbe archived (e.g., using archiving component 240) at a data store ormemory 108. The archived data can be stored for long-term retentionand/or accessed for active use at any time by system 200A. Thus, thearchived data can include older data as well as recent data that may beimportant to agent components and/or devices, member components and/ordevices, and operator components and/or devices for access and use inexecuting power transactions. The data can also be utilized forregulatory compliance purposes, to map data trends, to forecast futureproduction and/or consumption trends, to prevent disruptions to powerdelivery processes, to predict appropriate time periods corresponding tooptimal energy sale prices or optimal energy purchase prices, and/or toreconcile or clarify ambiguities related to the fulfillment of one ormore executed contracts.

Furthermore, archived data can be utilized to forecast electricitydemand, determine party usage patterns of electricity, preventelectricity power outages, optimize the transfer of electricity toand/or from the grid, better manage electricity production, consumption,transmission, and/or insurance activities. For instance, archivingcomponent 240 can facilitate a consumer member to access archived datarelated to historical data corresponding to smart meter device 261 tobetter understand past consumption behavior as correlated to other datametrics such as cost of energy. Thus, a consumer members' consumptiondata and/or corresponding cost data may prove to be meaningfulinformation for use by a consumer agent component 152. For instance, ifa cost of electricity consumption increases during a particular time,then a consumer agent component 152 representing a consumer member thatis a homeowner may curb its electricity use during a high cost timeperiod (e.g., use washing machine and dishwasher at low consumption costtimes of the day).

The archived data can also include other types of data related tooperations, decision making, and/or planning activities. Thus, archiveddata can include map data of electric grid infrastructure such astransmission routes and/or forecasting data (e.g., demand data, supplydata, weather data, usage data, etc.). Furthermore, archived data caninclude data associated with a transfer of money between memberaccounts, contract terms, data collected from monitoring component 220,and/or other such data. In an aspect, there is a large volume of datathat system 200A can collect on a particular date due to the potentiallylarge number of contracts capable of execution, numerous transactionaland/or operational activities associated with the electric grid, and/orreoccurring readings of smart meter data. The archiving component 240can store such data in an organized manner for efficient and/orexpeditious access while also providing cybersecurity protocols and/orcontrols to ensure the data can be protected, retained for a long periodof time, and/or complies with regulatory requirements.

In another non-limiting embodiment, system 200A can also employ pricingcomponent 250 that sets energy prices as a function of energy supply anddemand for the purchase, the generation, the sale, and/or theprovisioning of energy. In an aspect, pricing component 250 canestablish prices associated with the consumption, provisioning,transporting, and/or insuring of electricity taking into account marketsupply and/or market demand conditions. In another aspect, pricingcomponent 250 can facilitate the establishment of a price of energy byevaluating collected data from monitoring component 220, including datarepresenting amounts of electricity transmitted between relevant partieson identified dates. In an aspect, electricity consumption pricing canbe based on the need for electricity at a certain time and/or energyproduction amount at such time.

In another aspect, pricing component 250 can establish prices for powertransaction activities based on data representing factors such aspricing regulations, weather conditions (e.g., severe weather can affectthe demand for electricity and/or costs to maintain the electricitygrid), energy transmission infrastructure elements (e.g., costs tomaintain and/or use the electricity transmission system to deliverelectricity), producer costs (e.g., construction, maintenance and/oroperating costs associated with a production facility), availability ofdifferent energy generation sources, type of customer and/or quantity ofconsumption (e.g., residential consumption may have a higher pricebecause of higher associated distribution costs vs. industrial consumerswhom use more electricity and/or have capabilities of receivingelectricity at higher voltages), location of the consumer and/orproducer, and/or timing of the transaction (e.g., peak times can havehigher rates as compared to off-peak times).

In another non-limiting embodiment, system 200A can also employ a resalecomponent 260 that determines portions of the contracts for assignmentto third party producers to facilitate fulfillment of the contract. Inan aspect, one or more agent components can use interaction component110 to directly interact and/or trade with one or more agent componentsby exchanging information and/or executing contracts (e.g., usingexecution component 120) on behalf of members. However, the members canalso achieve trading benefits by employing representative components(e.g., agency components) to input data representing instructions topropose a purchase and/or sale of executed contracts or portions ofexecuted contracts from other members. For instance, if a member hasunderestimated its consumption need for a particular date and/or noagents will entertain a negotiation on such date, the agent componentrepresenting such member can input data (e.g., using interactioncomponent 110) representing instructions to propose for sale an alreadyexecuted electricity consumption contract for fulfillment by anothermember (e.g., member device) represented by an agent component. As such,agent components on behalf of entities may facilitate an execution ofpower transaction contracts with the intention of selling such executedcontract to other members at a later date. Furthermore, other agentcomponents on behalf of other entities may refrain from executingcontracts if the represented entities consumption needs are uncertainand/or such agent components may input data inputting instructionsrepresenting an offer to purchase an executed contract from anotheragent component (e.g., representing a member) at a later period of time.

FIG. 2B illustrates a block diagram of an example, non-limiting system200B that can facilitate an interaction between a first agent componentof a first consumer member system and/or a second agent component of asecond consumer member system to facilitate one or more powertransactions in accordance with one or more embodiments describedherein. In an aspect, system 200B can comprise power transaction system280, consumer member system 225, consumer member system 235, electricgrid infrastructure 270. In an aspect, power transaction system 280comprises interaction component 110, execution component 120, monitoringcomponent 220, archiving component 240, consumer agent component 152,consumer agent component 271, and/or agent configuration component 277.The power transaction system 280 components can also include orotherwise be associated with one or more processors, such as processor112 that can execute the computer executable components and/or computerinstructions stored in memory 108.

In another aspect, consumer member system 225 can include configurationcomponent 284, device 273, consumer agent component 152, device 102,consumer member consumption facility 245, consumer smart meter component262, and/or smart meter device 261. In yet another aspect, consumermember system 235 includes consumer smart meter component 262, smartmeter device 261, consumer member consumption facility 255, consumeragent component 271, agent configuration component 277, and/or device275. In an aspect, system 200B illustrates the use of power transactionsystem 280 between two energy consumer systems (e.g., consumer membersystem 225 and/or consumer member system 235). A first consumer membercan own the resources, technologies, systems, and/or devices of consumermember system 225. In an aspect, the first consumer member uses consumermember system 225 to transmit energy across electric grid infrastructure270 with assistance from advanced technologies. In an aspect, one ormore of the components of system 200B can be electrically and/orcommunicatively coupled to one or more devices of system 200B or otherembodiments disclosed herein.

For instance, consumer member system 225 can utilize consumer smartmeter component 262 to collect data corresponding to inflows or outflowsof energy to smart meter device 261 (e.g., a smart meter) and onward toconsumer member consumption facility 245 (e.g., a business, warehouse,factory, etc.). In an aspect, consumer member system 225 also utilizesconfiguration component 184 executing on device 273. The configurationcomponent 284 can utilize third party configuration software that canaccess historical data and/or statistics regarding consumption behavior,energy prices, and/or other useful transactional information.Furthermore, configuration component 284 can connect to all deviceswithin a consumer ecosystem (e.g., consumer member system 225). Also,configuration component 284 can perform enhanced data processingoperations and/or perform value-add operations such as facilitating aprediction of future electricity demands, accessing archived data inconnection with archiving component 240, and/or accessing collected dataon the flow of electricity in connection with monitoring component 220.In an aspect, consumer agent component 152 on device 102 can accessand/or use the data accessed by configuration component 284 to negotiateand/or execute optimal contracts for the first consumer member ofconsumer member system 225 using power transaction system 190.

For instance, consumer agent component 152 can be employed on device 102within consumer member system 225 or on power transaction system 290.Thus, consumer agent component 152 can utilize data from consumer membersystem 225 components such as configuration component 284 and/or datafrom power transaction system 290 such as data representing energy unitcosts, scale of current energy supply and/or other such data to performeffective negotiations and/or execute a contract with favorable terms.In another aspect, consumer member system 225 can utilize consumer smartmeter component 282 executing on smart meter device 283 to collect datarepresenting inflows or outflows of energy to smart meter device 283(e.g., a smart meter) and/or onward to consumer member consumptionfacility 255 which can be a traditional or conventional user ofelectricity, such as an individual home.

In an aspect, consumer member system 235 unlike consumer member system225 does not include a configuration component 284 and/or thus does nothave access to statistical data and/or historical data related toelectricity consumption in the same way that consumer member system 225does. However, consumer member system 235 still has access to energytransactions using power transaction system 290 via consumer agentcomponent 271. Furthermore, consumer member system 235 has access tostatistical and/or historical data via agent configuration component 277executing on device 275. Thus, even a traditional energy consumer thattraditionally interacts with the electric grid infrastructure 270 in apassive capacity can access the power transaction system 290 and gainaccess to a competitive marketplace for purchasing energy.

In an aspect, consumer agent component 271 can effectively negotiateand/or access data to secure a favorable contract to consume energy forthe consumer member that owns consumer member system 235. Furthermore,the capability of consumer agent component 271 to operate on both adevice 275 owned by the consumer member and on power transaction system290 provides a level of access by consumer members to markets that wasnot possible in conventional technologies. Also, the ability forconsumer agent component 271 to employ an agent configuration component277 that allows the agent component to access the power transactionsystem 290 on behalf of consumer member system 235 can create anaffordable alternative to smaller and/or more traditional energyconsumers (e.g., homes) as compared to purchasing expensive third partysoftware configured to access the power transaction system 290. Inanother aspect, consumer agent component 271 can execute tasks inconnection with monitoring component 220, archiving component 240,and/or other components of power transaction system 290. Thus, consumeragent component 271 can access data collected by monitoring component220 and/or historical data archived by archiving component 240 and/orconvey such information to consumer member system 235. Furthermore, suchdata can be used by consumer agent component 271 to build a feedbackloop that informs purchasing decisions by consumer agent component 271,on behalf of consumer member system 235, for future transactions.

FIG. 2C illustrates a block diagram of an example, non-limiting logicalflow of electricity between one or more energy producers and/or energyconsumers located in one or more cities in accordance with one or moreembodiments described herein. In an aspect, flow diagram 200Crepresenting a logical flow of electricity in a non-limiting examplescenario of energy transactions between producer members, consumermembers and/or grid members in different locations. In an aspect,producer member 232 (e.g., a producer of electrical energy) located incity 224 can transmit energy across an electric grid to consumer member242 (e.g., a consumer of electrical energy) located in city 226.Subsequent to this arrangement (e.g., negotiated between agentcomponents that represent producer member 232 and/or consumer member242), consumer member 244 arrives in city 224 and/or can purchase energyfrom producer member 236 located in city 226 or producer member 234located in city 228. In an instance, producer member 234 located in city228 offers cheaper energy prices per unit than producer member 236 incity 226, however, a grid agent component on behalf of a grid memberthat transports the energy charges a greater cost to transport theenergy from city 228 to city 224 as compared with another grid memberthat transports energy from city 226 to city 224.

Accordingly, consumer member 244 chooses to purchase energy fromproducer member 236 because of the cheaper aggregate price of energy(e.g., consumptions costs and/or transport costs). Thus, flow diagram200C illustrates how power transaction system 190 and/or other systemembodiments can empower energy consumers to secure an optimal price forenergy. Furthermore, producers, consumers, transporters, and/or insurersof energy can compete in an efficient market to allow for greaterfairness, transparency, consumer choice, and/or prices related to one ormore energy transactions.

FIG. 2D illustrates a block diagram of an example, non-limiting physicalflow of electricity between one or more energy producers and/or one ormore energy consumers located in one or more cities in accordance withone or more embodiments described herein. In an aspect, flow diagram200D representing a physical flow of electricity in a non-limitingexample scenario of energy transactions between producer members,consumer members and/or grid members in different locations. Asillustrated in flow diagram 200C, a contract has been executed betweenproducer member 236 and/or consumer member 244 for producer member 236to produce energy to be consumed by consumer member 244. Despite suchcontractual arrangement the actual physical flow of energy can occurbetween producer member 232 to consumer member 244 located in city 224and/or between consumer member 242 and/or producer member 236 located incity 226. Although a physical flow of electricity technically occursbetween different parties, the contractual terms will warrant paymentfor such physical flow of electricity between the parties of thecontract. The efficient transport of energy as per the physical flow ofelectricity occurs in accordance with flow diagram 200D in order for oneor more electric grids that connects city 224 and/or city 226 to savetransport capacity. If the physical flow of energy followed the logicalflow of energy of the contract (e.g., illustrated in flow diagram 200C),then transport capacity of one or more electric grids that connects city228 and/or city 224 as well as city 224 and/or city 226 would bediminished more than necessary therefore resulting in an inefficienttransmission of energy.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingcomputer-implemented method 300 that can facilitate an interactionbetween a set of agent components of a system to facilitate one or morepower transactions in accordance with one or more embodiments describedherein.

In an aspect, one or more of the components described incomputer-implemented method 300 can be electrically and/orcommunicatively coupled to one or more devices. Repetitive descriptionof like elements employed in other embodiments described herein isomitted for sake of brevity. In some implementations, at referencenumeral 302, a system operatively coupled to a processor (e.g.,processor 112) can receive (e.g., using interaction component 110) afirst set of data from a set of agent components (e.g., consumer agentcomponent 152, producer agent component 154, grid agent component 156,insurance agent component 158), wherein the set of data represents apurchase, a transmission, a production, a sale, and/or a consumption ofenergy. At reference numeral 304, the system can facilitate execution(e.g., using execution component 120) of a set of contracts between afirst subset of agent components and/or a second subset of agentcomponents.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingcomputer-implemented method 400 that can facilitate a validation of oneor more contracts executed between a set of agent components of a systemto facilitate one or more power transactions in accordance with one ormore embodiments described herein.

In an aspect, one or more of the components described incomputer-implemented method 400 can be electrically and/orcommunicatively coupled to one or more devices. Repetitive descriptionof like elements employed in other embodiments described herein isomitted for sake of brevity. In some implementations, at referencenumeral 402, a system operatively coupled to a processor (e.g.,processor 112) can receive (e.g., using interaction component 110) afirst set of data from a set of agent components (e.g., consumer agentcomponent 152, producer agent component 154, grid agent component 156,insurance agent component 158), wherein the set of data represents apurchase, a transmission, a production, a sale, and/or a consumption ofenergy. At reference numeral 404, the system can facilitate execution(e.g., using execution component 120) of a set of contracts between afirst subset of agent components and/or a second subset of agentcomponents. At reference numeral 406, the system can validate (e.g.,using validation component 210) the set of contracts based on whether afulfillment of terms of the set of contracts maintains or exceeds atarget stability threshold of an electric grid.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingcomputer-implemented method 500 that can facilitate a providing ofinsurance to one or more contracts executed between a set of agentcomponents of a system to facilitate one or more power transactions inaccordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

In an aspect, one or more of the components described incomputer-implemented method 500 can be electrically and/orcommunicatively coupled to one or more devices. Repetitive descriptionof like elements employed in other embodiments described herein isomitted for sake of brevity. In some implementations, at referencenumeral 502, a system operatively coupled to a processor (e.g.,processor 112) can receive (e.g., using interaction component 110) afirst set of data from a set of agent components (e.g., consumer agentcomponent 152, producer agent component 154, grid agent component 156,insurance agent component 158), wherein the set of data represents apurchase, a transmission, a production, a sale, and/or a consumption ofenergy.

At reference numeral 504, the system can facilitate execution (e.g.,using execution component 120) of a set of contracts between a firstsubset of agent components and a second subset of agent components. Atreference numeral 506, the system can validate (e.g., using validationcomponent 210) the set of contracts based on whether a fulfillment ofterms of the set of contracts maintains or exceeds a target stabilitythreshold of an electric grid. At reference numeral 508, the system caninsure (e.g., using insurance agent component 158) the set of contractsagainst a supply surplus of the energy of the energy or a productionshortage of the energy.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingcomputer-implemented method 600 that can facilitate a collection of datacorresponding to the performance of activities associated with one ormore contract obligations of a system to facilitate one or more powertransactions in accordance with one or more embodiments describedherein.

In an aspect, one or more of the components described incomputer-implemented method 600 can be electrically and/orcommunicatively coupled to one or more devices. Repetitive descriptionof like elements employed in other embodiments described herein isomitted for sake of brevity. In some implementations, at referencenumeral 602, a system operatively coupled to a processor (e.g.,processor 112) can receive (e.g., using interaction component 110) afirst set of data from a set of agent components (e.g., consumer agentcomponent 152, producer agent component 154, grid agent component 156,insurance agent component 158), wherein the set of data represents apurchase, a transmission, a production, a sale, and/or a consumption ofenergy.

At reference numeral 604, the system can facilitate execution (e.g.,using execution component 120) of a set of contracts between a firstsubset of agent components and/or a second subset of agent components.At reference numeral 606, the system can validate (e.g., usingvalidation component 210) the set of contracts based on whether afulfillment of terms of the set of contracts maintains or exceeds atarget stability threshold of an electric grid. At reference numeral608, the system can insure (e.g., using insurance agent component 158)the set of contracts against a supply surplus of the energy of theenergy or a production shortage of the energy. At reference numeral 610,the system can collect (e.g., using monitoring component 220 inconnection with one or more smart meter components) a second set of datarepresenting a flow of electricity provided by a metering device.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of an example non-limiting computerprogram product 700 that causes a processor (e.g., processor 112) toreceive data from a group of agent components and/or execute one or morecontracts based on the received data to facilitate one or more powertransactions in accordance with one or more embodiments describedherein.

In an aspect, one or more of the components described in computerprogram product 700 can be electrically and/or communicatively coupledto one or more devices. Repetitive description of like elements employedin other embodiments described herein is omitted for sake of brevity. Instep 702, the program instructions of computer program product 700 causethe processor (e.g., processor 112) to receive (e.g., using interactioncomponent 110) a first set of data from a group of agent componentsconsisting of a consumer agent component, a producer agent component, agrid agent component, and/or an insurance agent component. In step 704,the program instructions of computer program product 700 cause theprocessor to facilitate execution (e.g., using execution component 120)of a set of contracts between at least a portion of the group of agentcomponents.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram of a non-limiting example computerprogram product 800 that causes a processor (e.g., processor 112) toprovide insurance to one or more contracts between a group of agentcomponents to facilitate one or more power transactions in accordancewith one or more embodiments described herein.

In an aspect, one or more of the components described in computerprogram product 800 can be electrically and/or communicatively coupledto one or more devices. Repetitive description of like elements employedin other embodiments described herein is omitted for sake of brevity. Instep 802, the program instructions of a computer program product 800cause the processor (e.g., processor 112) to receive (e.g., usinginteraction component 110) a first set of data from a group of agentcomponents consisting of a consumer agent component, a producer agentcomponent, a grid agent component, and/or an insurance agent component.In step 804, the program instructions of a computer program product 800cause the processor to facilitate execution (e.g., using executioncomponent 120) of a set of contracts between at least a portion of thegroup of agent components. In step 806, the program instructions of acomputer program product 800 cause the processor to provide insurance(e.g., using insurance agent component 158) to at least a subset ofcontracts of the set of contracts.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow diagram of a non-limiting example computerprogram product 900 that causes a processor (e.g., processor 112) tomonitor data representing a flow of energy from a metering device tofacilitate one or more power transactions in accordance with one or moreembodiments described herein.

In an aspect, one or more of the components described in computerprogram product 900 can be electrically and/or communicatively coupledto one or more devices. Repetitive description of like elements employedin other embodiments described herein is omitted for sake of brevity. Instep 902, the program instructions of a computer program product 900cause the processor (e.g., processor 112) to receive (e.g., usinginteraction component 110) a first set of data from a group of agentcomponents consisting of a consumer agent component, a producer agentcomponent, a grid agent component, and/or an insurance agent component.In step 904, the program instructions of a computer program product 900cause the processor to facilitate execution (e.g., using executioncomponent 120) of a set of contracts between at least a portion of thegroup of agent components. In step 906, the program instructions of acomputer program product 900 cause the processor to provide insurance(e.g., using insurance agent component 158) to at least a subset ofcontracts of the set of contracts. In step 908, the program instructionsof a computer program product 900 cause the processor to monitor (e.g.,using a monitoring component 220 in connection with one or more smartmeter components) a second set of data representing a flow ofelectricity from a metering device.

For simplicity of explanation, the computer-implemented methodologiesand computer program products are depicted and described as a series ofacts. It is to be understood and appreciated that the subject innovationis not limited by the acts illustrated and/or by the order of acts, forexample acts can occur in various orders and/or concurrently, and withother acts not presented and described herein. Furthermore, not allillustrated acts can be required to implement the computer-implementedmethodologies in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. Inaddition, those skilled in the art can understand and appreciate thatthe computer-implemented methodologies could alternatively berepresented as a series of interrelated states via a state diagram orevents. Additionally, it should be further appreciated that thecomputer-implemented methodologies disclosed hereinafter and throughoutthis specification are capable of being stored on an article ofmanufacture to facilitate transporting and transferring suchcomputer-implemented methodologies to computers. The term article ofmanufacture, as used herein, is intended to encompass a computer programaccessible from any computer-readable device or storage media.

Moreover, because an interaction between a set of agent componentscapable of accessing historical, statistical, and predictive data tofacilitate an execution of contracts between a wide range of parties toa energy transaction in an optimally efficient marketplace for allparties is performed by components executed by a processor (e.g.,processor 112) established from a combination of electrical andmechanical components and circuitry, a human is unable to replicate orperform the subject data packet configuration and/or the subjectcommunication between processing components, an interaction componentand/or an execution component. Furthermore, predictive supply and demanddata, historical use and behavior data, and historic as well aspredictive pricing data associated with energy transactions facilitatedby the power transaction system can be generated, transformed, accessedand utilized by agent components to select optimal contract arrangementsfor parties to an energy transaction. The access to such predictive datais accessed from a memory (e.g., using memory 108) in accordance withaccess patterns that cannot be replicated by a human.

Also, the systems and methods disclosed herein can be integrated withthe tangible and physical electronic grid infrastructure components atone or more localities. In another aspect the systems and methodsdisclosed can be integrated with physical devices such as smart meterdevices, tablets, desktop computers, mobile devices, and other suchhardware. Furthermore, the ability of facilitating energy transactionsbetween agent components that facilitate create an efficient energymarket that stabilizes an electric grid using system components, rendersintermediary transaction components unnecessary, provides equal accessto independent and establishment energy provider devices, and integratesconventional and advanced energy generation devices through a singlepower transaction system cannot be performed by a human. For example, ahuman is unable to integrate smart meter technologies, paymenttechnologies, data monitoring technologies, electric grid technologies,and agent component technologies to execute thousands of energytransactions simultaneously in an efficient and accurate manner.Furthermore, a human is unable to simultaneously access and employenergy flow data, payment data, historical trend data, predictiveeconomic data, artificial intelligence generated economic forecast dataand/or packetized data for communication between a main processor (e.g.,using processor 112) and a memory (e.g., memory 108) to simultaneouslyfacilitate thousands of energy transactions.

In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the disclosedsubject matter, FIG. 10 as well as the following discussion is intendedto provide a general description of a suitable environment in which thevarious aspects of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented. FIG.10 illustrates a block diagram of an example, non-limiting operatingenvironment in which one or more embodiments described herein can befacilitated. With reference to FIG. 10, a suitable operating environment1000 for implementing various aspects of this disclosure can alsoinclude a computer 1012. The computer 1012 can also include a processingunit 1014, a system memory 1016, and a system bus 1018. The system bus1018 couples system components including, but not limited to, the systemmemory 1016 to the processing unit 1014. The processing unit 1014 can beany of various available processors. Dual microprocessors and othermultiprocessor architectures also can be employed as the processing unit1014. The system bus 1018 can be any of several types of busstructure(s) including the memory bus or memory controller, a peripheralbus or external bus, and/or a local bus using any variety of availablebus architectures including, but not limited to, Industrial StandardArchitecture (ISA), Micro-Channel Architecture (MSA), Extended ISA(EISA), Intelligent Drive Electronics (IDE), VESA Local Bus (VLB),Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), Card Bus, Universal Serial Bus(USB), Advanced Graphics Port (AGP), Firewire (IEEE 1394), and SmallComputer Systems Interface (SCSI).

The system memory 1016 can also include volatile memory 1020 andnonvolatile memory 1022. The basic input/output system (BIOS),containing the basic routines to transfer information between elementswithin the computer 1012, such as during start-up, is stored innonvolatile memory 1022. By way of illustration, and not limitation,nonvolatile memory 1022 can include read only memory (ROM), programmableROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasableprogrammable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, or nonvolatile random accessmemory (RAM) (e.g., ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM). Volatile memory 1020 canalso include random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cachememory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available inmany forms such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronousDRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM(ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM), directRambus dynamic RAM (DRDRAM), and Rambus dynamic RAM.

Computer 1012 can also include removable/non-removable,volatile/non-volatile computer storage media. FIG. 10 illustrates, forexample, a disk storage 1024. Disk storage 1024 can also include, but isnot limited to, devices like a magnetic disk drive, floppy disk drive,tape drive, Jaz drive, Zip drive, LS-100 drive, flash memory card, ormemory stick. The disk storage 1024 also can include storage mediaseparately or in combination with other storage media including, but notlimited to, an optical disk drive such as a compact disk ROM device(CD-ROM), CD recordable drive (CD-R Drive), CD rewritable drive (CD-RWDrive) or a digital versatile disk ROM drive (DVD-ROM). To facilitateconnection of the disk storage 1024 to the system bus 1018, a removableor non-removable interface is typically used, such as interface 1026.FIG. 10 also depicts software that acts as an intermediary between usersand the basic computer resources described in the suitable operatingenvironment 1000. Such software can also include, for example, anoperating system 1028. Operating system 1028, which can be stored ondisk storage 1024, acts to control and allocate resources of thecomputer 1012.

System applications 1030 take advantage of the management of resourcesby operating system 1028 through program modules 1032 and program data1034, e.g., stored either in system memory 1016 or on disk storage 1024.It is to be appreciated that this disclosure can be implemented withvarious operating systems or combinations of operating systems. A userenters commands or information into the computer 1012 through inputdevice(s) 1036. Input devices 1036 include, but are not limited to, apointing device such as a mouse, trackball, stylus, touch pad, keyboard,microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, TV tuner card,digital camera, digital video camera, web camera, and the like. Theseand other input devices connect to the processing unit 1014 through thesystem bus 1018 via interface port(s) 1038. Interface port(s) 1038include, for example, a serial port, a parallel port, a game port, and auniversal serial bus (USB). Output device(s) 1040 use some of the sametype of ports as input device(s) 1036. Thus, for example, a USB port canbe used to provide input to computer 1012, and to output informationfrom computer 1012 to an output device 1040. Output adapter 1242 isprovided to illustrate that there are some output device 1040 likemonitors, speakers, and printers, among other such output device 1040,which require special adapters. The output adapters 1042 include, by wayof illustration and not limitation, video and sound cards that provide ameans of connection between the output device 1040 and the system bus1018. It should be noted that other devices and/or systems of devicesprovide both input and output capabilities such as remote computer(s)1044.

Computer 1012 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computers, such as remote computer(s)1044. The remote computer(s) 1044 can be a computer, a server, a router,a network PC, a workstation, a microprocessor based appliance, a peerdevice or other common network node and the like, and typically can alsoinclude many or all of the elements described relative to computer 1012.For purposes of brevity, only a memory storage device 1046 isillustrated with remote computer(s) 1044. Remote computer(s) 1044 islogically connected to computer 1012 through a network interface 1048and then physically connected via communication connection 1050. Networkinterface 1048 encompasses wire and/or wireless communication networkssuch as local-area networks (LAN), wide-area networks (WAN), cellularnetworks, etc. LAN technologies include Fiber Distributed Data Interface(FDDI), Copper Distributed Data Interface (CDDI), Ethernet, Token Ringand the like. WAN technologies include, but are not limited to,point-to-point links, circuit switching networks like IntegratedServices Digital Networks (ISDN) and variations thereon, packetswitching networks, and Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL). Communicationconnection(s) 1050 refers to the hardware/software employed to connectthe network interface 1048 to the system bus 1018. While communicationconnection 1050 is shown for illustrative clarity inside computer 1012,it can also be external to computer 1012. The hardware/software forconnection to the network interface 1048 can also include, for exemplarypurposes only, internal and external technologies such as, modemsincluding regular telephone grade modems, cable modems and DSL modems,ISDN adapters, and Ethernet cards.

The present disclosure may be a system, a method, an apparatus and/or acomputer program product at any possible technical detail level ofintegration. The computer program product can include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent disclosure. The computer readable storage medium can be atangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by aninstruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium canbe, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, amagnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagneticstorage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitablecombination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specificexamples of the computer readable storage medium can also include thefollowing: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random accessmemory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmableread-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory(SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digitalversatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanicallyencoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groovehaving instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination ofthe foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, isnot to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radiowaves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagneticwaves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g.,light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signalstransmitted through a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network can comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device. Computer readable programinstructions for carrying out operations of the present disclosure canbe assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA)instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions,microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, configuration datafor integrated circuitry, or either source code or object code writtenin any combination of one or more programming languages, including anobject oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++, or thelike, and procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programminglanguage or similar programming languages. The computer readable programinstructions can execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on theuser's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user'scomputer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remotecomputer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer can beconnected to the user's computer through any type of network, includinga local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or theconnection can be made to an external computer (for example, through theInternet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments,electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logiccircuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logicarrays (PLA) can execute the computer readable program instructions byutilizing state information of the computer readable programinstructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order toperform aspects of the present disclosure.

Aspects of the present disclosure are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of thedisclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions. These computer readable programinstructions can be provided to a processor of a general purposecomputer, special purpose computer, or other programmable dataprocessing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions,which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmabledata processing apparatus, create means for implementing thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks. These computer readable program instructions can also be storedin a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, aprogrammable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to functionin a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage mediumhaving instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufactureincluding instructions which implement aspects of the function/actspecified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. Thecomputer readable program instructions can also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational acts to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams can represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the blocks can occur out of theorder noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in successioncan, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks cansometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

While the subject matter has been described above in the general contextof computer-executable instructions of a computer program product thatruns on a computer and/or computers, those skilled in the art willrecognize that this disclosure also can or can be implemented incombination with other program modules. Generally, program modulesinclude routines, programs, components, data structures, etc. thatperform particular tasks and/or implement particular abstract datatypes. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that theinventive computer-implemented methods can be practiced with othercomputer system configurations, including single-processor ormultiprocessor computer systems, mini-computing devices, mainframecomputers, as well as computers, hand-held computing devices (e.g., PDA,phone), microprocessor-based or programmable consumer or industrialelectronics, and the like. The illustrated aspects can also be practicedin distributed computing environments in which tasks are performed byremote processing devices that are linked through a communicationsnetwork. However, some, if not all aspects of this disclosure can bepracticed on stand-alone computers. In a distributed computingenvironment, program modules can be located in both local and remotememory storage devices.

As used in this application, the terms “component,” “system,”“platform,” “interface,” and the like, can refer to and/or can include acomputer-related entity or an entity related to an operational machinewith one or more specific functionalities. The entities disclosed hereincan be either hardware, a combination of hardware and software,software, or software in execution. For example, a component can be, butis not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor,an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or acomputer. By way of illustration, both an application running on aserver and the server can be a component. One or more components canreside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component canbe localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or morecomputers. In another example, respective components can execute fromvarious computer readable media having various data structures storedthereon. The components can communicate via local and/or remoteprocesses such as in accordance with a signal having one or more datapackets (e.g., data from one component interacting with anothercomponent in a local system, distributed system, and/or across a networksuch as the Internet with other systems via the signal). As anotherexample, a component can be an apparatus with specific functionalityprovided by mechanical parts operated by electric or electroniccircuitry, which is operated by a software or firmware applicationexecuted by a processor. In such a case, the processor can be internalor external to the apparatus and can execute at least a part of thesoftware or firmware application. As yet another example, a componentcan be an apparatus that provides specific functionality throughelectronic components without mechanical parts, wherein the electroniccomponents can include a processor or other means to execute software orfirmware that confers at least in part the functionality of theelectronic components. In an aspect, a component can emulate anelectronic component via a virtual machine, e.g., within a cloudcomputing system.

In addition, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” ratherthan an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clearfrom context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the naturalinclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or Xemploys both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any ofthe foregoing instances. Moreover, articles “a” and “an” as used in thesubject specification and annexed drawings should generally be construedto mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from contextto be directed to a singular form. As used herein, the terms “example”and/or “exemplary” are utilized to mean serving as an example, instance,or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the subject matterdisclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition, anyaspect or design described herein as an “example” and/or “exemplary” isnot necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over otheraspects or designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplarystructures and techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

As it is employed in the subject specification, the term “processor” canrefer to substantially any computing processing unit or devicecomprising, but not limited to, single-core processors;single-processors with software multithread execution capability;multi-core processors; multi-core processors with software multithreadexecution capability; multi-core processors with hardware multithreadtechnology; parallel platforms; and parallel platforms with distributedshared memory. Additionally, a processor can refer to an integratedcircuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digitalsignal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), aprogrammable logic controller (PLC), a complex programmable logic device(CPLD), a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functionsdescribed herein. Further, processors can exploit nano-scalearchitectures such as, but not limited to, molecular and quantum-dotbased transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimize space usageor enhance performance of user equipment. A processor can also beimplemented as a combination of computing processing units. In thisdisclosure, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “data store,” datastorage,” “database,” and substantially any other information storagecomponent relevant to operation and functionality of a component areutilized to refer to “memory components,” entities embodied in a“memory,” or components comprising a memory. It is to be appreciatedthat memory and/or memory components described herein can be eithervolatile memory or nonvolatile memory, or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory. By way of illustration, and not limitation,nonvolatile memory can include read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM(PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable ROM(EEPROM), flash memory, or nonvolatile random access memory (RAM) (e.g.,ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM). Volatile memory can include RAM, which canact as external cache memory, for example. By way of illustration andnot limitation, RAM is available in many forms such as synchronous RAM(SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rateSDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM),direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM), direct Rambus dynamic RAM (DRDRAM), andRambus dynamic RAM (RDRAM). Additionally, the disclosed memorycomponents of systems or computer-implemented methods herein areintended to include, without being limited to including, these and anyother suitable types of memory.

What has been described above include mere examples of systems andcomputer-implemented methods. It is, of course, not possible to describeevery conceivable combination of components or computer-implementedmethods for purposes of describing this disclosure, but one of ordinaryskill in the art can recognize that many further combinations andpermutations of this disclosure are possible. Furthermore, to the extentthat the terms “includes,” “has,” “possesses,” and the like are used inthe detailed description, claims, appendices and drawings such terms areintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

The descriptions of the various embodiments have been presented forpurposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variationswill be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminologyused herein was chosen to best explain the principles of theembodiments, the practical application or technical improvement overtechnologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinaryskill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:receiving, by a system operatively coupled to a processor, a first setof data from a set of agent components, wherein the first set of datarepresents a purchase, a transmission, a production, a sale or aconsumption of energy; and facilitating execution, by the system, of aset of contracts between a first subset of agent components and a secondsubset of agent components based on the first set of data.
 2. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising validating,by the system, the set of contracts based on whether a fulfillment ofterms of the set of contracts maintains or exceeds a target stabilitythreshold of an electric grid.
 3. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 1, further comprising insuring, by the system, the set ofcontracts against a supply surplus of energy or a production shortage ofenergy.
 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, furthercomprising collecting, by the system, a second set of data representinga flow of electricity provided by a metering device.
 5. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 2, further comprising providing aninsurance contract to the set of contracts to satisfy the targetstability threshold of the electric grid.